The Met Office has warned of a danger to life as six weather warnings for wind and rain remain in force while Storm Bert batters the UK, placing more than 300 areas at risk of flooding and causing severe travel disruption.
Winds of up to 82mph have so far been recorded and, as temperatures rise, melting snow and heavy rain are causing flooding, with energy chiefs warning the worst of the impact is yet to come. Weather alerts were in force across the UK on Sunday.
A man in his 60s has died after a tree fell on his car in Hampshire, while 10 people were rescued from a home hit by a landslide in north Wales, rescue services said.
Tens of thousands of homes have been without power, with 4,000 homes affected in the Midlands, south-west England and South Wales and 27,000 customers affected in the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire. In Ireland, thousands were still left without electricity on Saturday evening.
Key points
- Six weather alerts in force as Storm Bert brings ‘danger to life'
- Man in 60s killed after tree falls on car in Hampshire
- ‘Thick and fast’ snow brings ‘atrocious’ travel conditions and blizzards
- More than 300 areas at risk of flooding as of Sunday morning
- Thousands hit by power cuts in England and Wales
- ‘Worst of storm yet to come’, UK power chiefs say
Pictured: Firefighters work to pump water away from flooded streets on outskirts of Belfast
09:10
Andy Gregory
Hundreds of trains cancelled due to Storm Bert
08:57
Simon Calder, Travel Correspondent
Hundreds of trains have been cancelled because of the effects of Storm Bert.
South Western Railway
The main problem on the network from London Waterloo to Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset and Devon is fallen trees. There are blockages between Cobham and Oxshott; between Basingstoke and Farnborough; between Reading and Basingstoke; and between Exeter Central and Honiton.
Northern Rail Many Northern Rail passengers are experiencing difficult journeys. Trains cannot run between Lancaster and Barrow-in-Furness due to flooding in the Ulverston area. “Due to the adverse weather conditions, Northern are currently struggling for road transport availability,” National Rail says.
The Settle-Carlisle line across the Pennines is closed due to flooding in the Hellifield area. The Leeds-Harrogate-York line is also blocked east of Horforth.
Transport for Wales
Due to the impact of Storm Bert, the Heart of Wales line between Shrewsbury and Swansea as well as the link from Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog are both closed. Bus replacements are in place. Flooding on the Valley lines north of Cardiff is also causing cancellations.
Ten people rescued from house hit by landslide in north Wales
08:33
Andy Gregory
Five adults and five children had to be rescued from a house in Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, near Llangollen in north Wales, following a landslide, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said.
Five crews attended the incident after the fire and rescue service was called just prior to 2pm on Saturday. The property has sustained substantial damage, the service said.
Travel disruption continues on Sunday as ferries cancelled and roads closed
08:18
Andy Gregory
Travel disruption has continued into Sunday as ferry operator DFDS cancelled services on some routes until Monday, including its Newhaven to Dieppe sailings.
It comes after as much as 64.4mm of rain fell in Capel Curig, north Wales, in 12 hours on Saturday and wind gusts of up to 82mph were recorded in the Welsh village.
In Wales, the A40 was closed due to a fallen tree, impacting road users from Sennybridge to Brecon, according to Dyfed-Powys Police. In southeast Wales, Gwent Police reported flooding on Sunday morning on the A465, travelling from Merthyr Tydfil towards Tredegar.
Rail operators had cancelled services on some routes all day on Saturday and urged passengers to check their routes before making journeys.
Avanti West Coast cancelled its service between Edinburgh and Carlisle all day on Saturday with the next direct service from Carlisle not scheduled to run until Sunday afternoon. Train journeys to and from Manchester Piccadilly were disrupted on Saturday evening as flooding between Macclesfield and Stoke-on-Trent blocked some lines.
‘Danger to life’ as six Met Office weather warnings in force on Sunday for wind and rain
07:52
Andy Gregory
There are currently six Met Office weather warnings in force across the UK.
The entirety of Northern Ireland is subject to a warning over strong winds, with forecasters predicting that delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely, that coastal communities will be impacted by spray and large waves, and that loss of power and other services is possible.
The south coast of England and west coast of Wales are also both covered by an alert for wind, which also warns of “a small chance that injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties”, and “a small chance of injuries and danger to life from flying debris”.
Further warnings for rain in southwest England and south Wales caution that some communities may be cut off by flooded roads, with homes and businesses flooded, with fast flowing or deep floodwater possible, causing a danger to life.
A warning for very strong winds has also been issued on the west coast of Scotland, which forecasters say are likely to bring disruption to transport, and dangerous coastal and marine conditions.
More than 300 areas at risk of flooding
07:42
Andy Gregory
More than 300 areas are at risk of flooding as Storm Bert lashes Britain.
As of Sunday morning, the Environment Agency has issued 56 flood warnings in England – meaning flooding is expected – and a further 168 flood alerts, which warn that it is possible.
In Wales, there are 34 flood warnings in force – mostly in the southeast – and 57 alerts, while Scotland is subject to four warnings – one in Orkney, two in Tayside, and another at Strath Oykel – along with six alerts.
Police investigate whether death of man killed when tree fell on car was linked to weather
07:00
Tara Cobham
Police are investigating whether the death of a man who was killed when a tree fell on his car was linked to the weather.
Hampshire Police said the man in his 60s died on the A34 near Winchester on Saturday morning, as Storm Bert battered the UK and Ireland.
The force was called at 7.47am to the southbound carriageway between Kings Worthy and Winnall and found the driver of a black Mercedes E350 dead at the scene.
It is unclear if the incident was related to Storm Bert but the cause is under investigation.
A silver Skoda Kodiaq was also damaged but no other injuries were reported.
Hampshire Police said the man’s family has been informed.
Lengthy lane closures were put in place and the force is appealing for anyone with information to come forward, particularly anyone with relevant dashcam footage.
Championship football match in Lancashire postponed due to torrential rain
06:00
Tara Cobham
A Championship football match in Lancashire has been postponed due to torrential rain.
Blackburn Rovers were set to face Portsmouth at Ewood Park at 3pm on Saturday but the match will now be played at a later date.
In a post on X, Blackburn Rovers said: “Due to an unplayable pitch caused by torrential rain, today’s match against Portsmouth at Ewood Park has been postponed by the match official.
“We will announce details of the rearranged fixture in due course.”
Watch: Snow falls across England and Scotland during Storm Bert
05:00
Tara Cobham
Every storm name for 2024/25 revealed
04:00
Tara Cobham
The Met Office has already confirmed the storm names to be used across 2024 and 2025.
The new storms list – first launched in 2015 – for each year generally runs from early September until late August the following year, coinciding with the beginning of autumn.
James, Lewis and Mavis are all included in the new list in honour of figures from the Met Office’s 170-year history.
Find out more here:
Wales set to face up to 75mm of rain widely over weekend
03:00
Tara Cobham
Wales is expected to face up to 75mm of rain widely over the weekend, with 150mm possible in some areas.
The strongest gust recorded so far by the Met Office is 82mph at Capel Curig in Conwy, north Wales, with winds of 70mph expected around coastal areas.
Storm Bert mapped: When and where UK will be hit by snow and winds
02:00
Tara Cobham
The Met Office has warned Brits to prepare for a weekend of rain, wind and snow as Storm Bert sweeps the country.
Weather warnings are in place every day until Sunday – including more severe amber alerts – as the country braces for more wintry weather after temperatures plummeted earlier in the week.
The majority of the UK will be facing at least one weather warning in the days to come, with Scotland and northern England expected to be the worst affected.
My colleagues Athena Stavrou and Andy Gregory report:
In pictures: Storm Bert blankets parts of UK in snow
01:00
Tara Cobham
Watch: Newcastle airport runway ‘decimated’ by snow as Storm Bert hits
00:00
Tara Cobham
How to stay safe during Storm Bert
Saturday 23 November 2024 23:00
Tara Cobham
The Met Office has warned Brits to prepare for a weekend of rain, wind and snow as Storm Bert sweeps the country.
It has sparked warnings of “atrocious” travel conditions and power cuts as the “multi-hazard” weather event brings heavy snow and torrential rain to swathes of Britain.
An amber alert for heavy snow and ice will be in force in between 7am and 5pm on Saturday, for an area north of Scotland’s central belt, while other areas in the UK have been issued with yellow weather warnings for wind, snow and rain.
So, what can we do to prepare and protect ourselves, and our homes, from these turbulent conditions? Find out here:
Storm Bert causes travel chaos across UK and Ireland
Saturday 23 November 2024 22:00
Tara Cobham
Storm Bert battered the UK and Ireland with snow, rain and strong winds on Saturday, closing several railway lines, bridges and roads.
Snow covered roads and stranded cars in parts of the northern UK, while the runway at the Newcastle airport in northeast England was blanketed in white, briefly disrupting flights.
In Scotland, some train services were suspended due to the weather, ScotRail said on X. The Severn Bridge, which connects Wales to England, was shut due to strong winds, the National Highways website showed.
In Ireland, the heavy rain led to flooding in parts of the west coast, making some roads impassable. The Irish Meteorological Service placed a "status red" rain warning – its highest level – for the counties of Cork and Galway from Friday night. Floodwater could be seen rising towards the top of parked cars in the Donegal town of Killybegs.
Clean-up begins in Ireland after Storm Bert as thousands still left without power
Saturday 23 November 2024 21:00
Tara Cobham
Clean-up operations are under way after Storm Bert swept across the island of Ireland, causing flooding and thousands of power outages.
Power cuts affected 60,000 customers at the height of the outage; ESB teams are still working to restore supplies to the thousands still left without electricity.
Status red rain warnings were in place for Cork and Galway until 10am on Saturday, with an orange alert for rain in place for counties Waterford, Kerry, Clare, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim.
Read more here:
How to stay safe during Storm Bert
Saturday 23 November 2024 20:01
Andy Gregory
As the Met Office issues a flurry of weather warnings over the weekend, what can we do to prepare and protect ourselves, and our homes, from these turbulent conditions?
Camilla Foster reports:
Pictured: Snow blankets Scottish city of Stirling
Saturday 23 November 2024 19:38
Andy Gregory
Where are flood warnings in force in Wales?
Saturday 23 November 2024 19:15
Andy Gregory
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has issued a series of flood warnings and alerts across the country, as bridges are shut and roads closed. Over the weekend, Wales is expected to face up to 75mm of rain widely, with 150 mm possible in some areas.
NRW has issued flood warnings – where flooding is expected, and immediate action is required – on five stretches of river. It has also issued alerts – where flooding is possible – for more than 30 areas across Wales.
Warnings are in place around:
- River Loughor at Ammanford and Llandybie impacting low-lying property in Ammanford, Llandybie and Aberlash, including Carmarthenshire College
- River Severn, affecting the village of Aberbechan
- River Severn, affecting parts of the village of Abermule
- River Cothi in low lying areas between Pontargothi and Pontynyswen, including the Cothi Bridge Hotel
- River Towy, affecting isolated properties, as well as farms and roads, between Llandeilo and Abbergwili
Gusts of 82mph recorded in north Wales
Saturday 23 November 2024 18:52
Andy Gregory
The strongest gust recorded by the Met Office on Saturday afternoon was 82mph at Capel Curig in Conwy, north Wales, with winds of 70mph expected around coastal areas.
The Needles on the Isle of Wight saw gusts of 76mph, while winds reached 69mph at Devon’s Berry Head.
Holidaymakers at ‘decimated’ Newcastle Airport express surprise at intensity of snowfall
Saturday 23 November 2024 18:30
PA
Holidaymakers at Newcastle International Airport said the runway was “decimated” by snow as Storm Bert batters the country with strong winds, heavy rain and snow and ice.
Frequent travellers Tim Harding, 53, and his wife, Chona, 58, were due to fly at 9.15am with Dutch airline KLM to Amsterdam from Newcastle before flying with Delta airlines to Orlando, Florida, to meet their family in the US for Thanksgiving.
Mr Harding said: “Going to the airport... it was sleeting all the way through then all of a sudden it started coming down.
“There were about four or five snow ploughs on the runway and they just couldn’t clear it. It was windy and it was literally coming down really quick, so hard. In the space of two hours, it went from nothing to decimated.
“The gritters were out continuously, the ploughs were out continuously, but it just wasn’t having an impact unfortunately. I was surprised how quickly it came down and how much came down in a two-hour period. I haven’t seen that for a long time.”
Met Office predicts heavy rain will develop overnight and into Sunday
Saturday 23 November 2024 18:07
Andy Gregory
The Met Office forecasts heavy rain developing overnight and into Sunday for south-west and southern England, stretching from Oxford to Truro.
There is a chance that some places over Dartmoor could see 100-150mm of rainfall, the national weather service said.
A yellow warning is in place from 6am on Saturday until 11.45pm on Sunday and up to 70mm of rain could fall during this time.
Homeowners facing flooding as Storm Bert batters Wales
Saturday 23 November 2024 16:49
Tara Cobham
Homeowners are facing flooding as Storm Bert continues to batter Wales, bringing rain, winds and rising waters.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has issued a series of flood warnings and alerts across the country, as bridges are shut and roads closed.
Five adults and five children had to be rescued from a house in Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, near Llangollen in north Wales, following a landslide.
George Thompson reports:
Five children among 10 rescued from Wales home after landslide
Saturday 23 November 2024 16:45
Tara Cobham
Five children are among the 10 people who have been rescued from a home in north Wales following a landslide.
The five adults and five children were rescued from the house in Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, near Llangollen.
A North Wales Fire and Rescue Services spokesman said they are all being assessed by ambulance services away from the scene “somewhere warm”.
A further landslide has been reported in the area but it is understood no-one else was affected.
Watch: Newcastle airport runway 'decimated' by snow as Storm Bert hits
Saturday 23 November 2024 16:30
Andy Gregory
More than 30,000 homes suffer power cuts
Saturday 23 November 2024 16:09
Andy Gregory
Tens of thousands of homes have been without power on Saturday as Storm Bert batters the UK.
Some 4,000 homes have been affected in the Midlands, south-west England and South Wales, while a further 27,000 customers were affected in the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire.
Dozens more flood alerts issued
Saturday 23 November 2024 15:50
Andy Gregory
As of 3pm on Saturday, there were 26 flood warnings – meaning flooding is expected – in force in England, along with 83 lesser flood alerts in areas where flooding is possible.
There were six flood alerts covering swathes of southern and eastern Scotland, and one warning in Orkney, while Wales was subject to 41 alerts and five warnings.
What are the latest Met Office weather warnings?
Saturday 23 November 2024 15:34
Andy Gregory
As of 3pm on Saturday, there remained seven yellow weather alerts in place, stretching the length of the UK, but mostly in western areas.
The entire south coast and much of western Scotland were subject to warnings for strong winds, with a rain alert in force in Wales until 6am on Sunday. Further rain alerts were issued in northwestern England and central Scotland.
Edinburgh bus services halted due to safety concerns
Saturday 23 November 2024 15:02
Andy Gregory
One of Scotland’s biggest bus firms has paused its services due to the impact of Storm Bert.
Lothian Buses, which operates the majority of routes in Edinburgh, as well as services in East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian, said buses had been halted due to safety concerns.
In a post on X, the firm said: “Due to adverse weather across the network, buses are unable to continue due to safety concerns.
“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused, and thank you for your patience while our teams work to assess routes.”
Overhead power line warning issued
Saturday 23 November 2024 14:43
Andy Gregory
UK Power Networks, the operator for the east and south-east of England, has warned people to stay away from overhead power lines amid the powerful winds brought by Storm Bert.
‘Worst of Storm Bert yet to come’ - UK power network chiefs
Saturday 23 November 2024 14:33
Tom Barnes
Thousands of homes are without power, roads are flooded and flights have been cancelled – but the worst of Storm Bert is still to come, according to UK power chiefs.
Winds of up to 70mph are set to batter coastal areas and, as temperatures rise on Saturday, melting snow and heavy rain are causing flooding.
The National Grid said around 4,000 homes in its region of the Midlands, south-west England and south Wales, are without power.
Ross Easton, of Energy Networks Association (ENA) – which represents the UK’s power network operators, said: “There are a few localised weather-related power cuts in parts of Britain this morning. However, for most parts of the country the severe weather hasn’t yet had a significant impact.
“Forecasters are describing this as a ‘multi-hazard event’ with the worst of the weather yet to arrive, and so our members have extra engineers and contact centre teams available, and control rooms are monitoring the storm closely as it develops.”
Parts of Dartmoor could see up to 150mm of rain, Met Office says
Saturday 23 November 2024 14:23
Andy Gregory
The Met Office forecasts heavy rain developing overnight and into Sunday for south-west and southern England, stretching from Oxford to Truro – and has updated its maximum rainfall expectations.
The yellow warning is in place from 6am Saturday until 11.45pm on Sunday and up to 70mm of rain could fall during this time.
There is a chance that some places over Dartmoor could see 100-150mm of rainfall, the national weather service said.
Man dies after tree falls on car in Hampshire, police say
Saturday 23 November 2024 14:18
Tom Barnes
A man in his 60s has died after a tree fell on a car on the A34 near Winchester, Hampshire Police said.
The force was called at 7.47am to the southbound carriageway between Kings Worthy and Winnall and found the driver of a black Mercedes E350 dead at the scene.
It is unclear if the incident was related to Storm Bert but the cause is under investigation.
A silver Skoda Kodiaq was also damaged but no other injuries were reported.
Hampshire Police said the man’s family has been informed.
Lengthy lane closures have been put in place and the force is appealing for anyone with information to come forward, particularly anyone with relevant dashcam footage.
Watch: Snow falls across England and Scotland
Saturday 23 November 2024 14:03
Andy Gregory
Blackburn and Bradford fixtures among matches called off due to Storm Bert
Saturday 23 November 2024 13:44
Andy Gregory
Storm Bert has wreaked havoc on the domestic football calendar with Blackburn’s Championship clash against Portsmouth one of a number of games called off.
Bradford’s League Two game against Accrington and Fleetwood’s match with MK Dons have also become victims of the weather.
In the National League, the derby between Rochdale and Oldham and Halifax’s meeting with Sutton have also gone.
Thousands without power in England and Wales as ‘worst yet to come'
Saturday 23 November 2024 13:22
Andy Gregory
The National Grid said around 4,000 homes in its region of the Midlands, south-west England and south Wales, are without power.
Ross Easton, of Energy Networks Association (ENA) – which represents the UK’s power network operators – said: “There are a few localised weather-related power cuts in parts of Britain this morning. However, for most parts of the country the severe weather hasn’t yet had a significant impact.
“Forecasters are describing this as a ‘multi-hazard event’ with the worst of the weather yet to arrive, and so our members have extra engineers and contact centre teams available, and control rooms are monitoring the storm closely as it develops.”
Why has Met Office issued amber alert?
Saturday 23 November 2024 13:08
Andy Gregory
In its amber weather alert, covering parts of central Scotland, the Met Office warns that Storm Bert will bring a spell of heavy snow, leading to some disruption on Saturday. It warns that:
- Travel delays on roads are likely, stranding some vehicles and passengers
- Power cuts are likely and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected
- There is a good chance that some rural communities could become cut off
- Some delays and cancellations to rail travel are likely
Mapped: Where are weather warnings in force?
Saturday 23 November 2024 12:41
Andy Gregory
Here is the Met Office’s map of weather warnings as things currently stand.
There are five yellow alerts for rain, wind and snow, and a more severe amber alert for snow in central Scotland, still in force.
A previous amber alert for snow stretching from central England to the Scottish borders had been in force until midday.
Met Office satellite graphic shows progress of Storm Bert
Saturday 23 November 2024 12:18
Andy Gregory
#StormBert continues to move in from the Atlantic ️
— Met Office (@metoffice) November 23, 2024
Stay #WeatherAware ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/kddGa6oXb7
Pictured: Snow falls across Scotland
Saturday 23 November 2024 12:03
Andy Gregory
Thick snow brings M8 motorway to a halt near Livingston
Saturday 23 November 2024 11:55
Andy Gregory
Cars have been pictured queued in thick snow near Livingston on the M8 motorway, which connects Edinburgh and Glasgow.
❄️The scene currently at J3 Livingston on the #M8
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) November 23, 2024
Police are asking drivers to please #takcare on the #M8 and consider travel plans.
Keep up to date with the latest disruption here: https://t.co/sM3Y7nTHiu
And you can track our Gritters: https://t.co/P5wzO0AF4r pic.twitter.com/27KvEbjS9T
Championship football clash between Blackburn Rovers and Portsmouth postponed
Saturday 23 November 2024 11:48
Andy Gregory
A Championship football match in Lancashire has been postponed due to torrential rain.
Blackburn Rovers were set to face Portsmouth at Ewood Park at 3pm on Saturday but the match will now be played at a later date.
In a post on X, Blackburn Rovers said: “Due to an unplayable pitch caused by torrential rain, today’s match against Portsmouth at Ewood Park has been postponed by the match official. We will announce details of the rearranged fixture in due course.”
Heavy snow on Scotland’s central road artery
Saturday 23 November 2024 11:40
Andy Gregory
Heavy snow has been reported near Dalwhinnie on Scotland’s A9 artery.
The view from gritter Thistle Do Icely, working in tandem with the tractor to clear snow from the #A9 Dalwhinnie.
— BEAR NW Trunk Roads (@NWTrunkRoads) November 23, 2024
Difficult conditions out there so please check @trafficscotland & drive to conditions if you need to travel. Follow our gritters here - https://t.co/3RnakOroUI pic.twitter.com/l5WksGBKMm